Shawn Purcell
Professor of Jazz Guitar - George Mason University, VA
Tim Whalen's 'Jazz Warm-Ups and Etudes' is a wonderful addition to any jazz musician's library. Through thoughtfully crafted etudes, Whalen provides readers with a “real-deal” look at classic jazz language, taken straight from the masters themselves. Tim also presents this language on some of the most common chord progressions a jazz musician will face. Each etude acts as a guide for those desiring a deep dive into the complexities of improvisation. I find the “notes” and “tips” sections especially valuable for specific guidance on how to practice this material for the best results while still having fun. The etudes themselves contain a wealth of melodic material, and the "fragments" portion is quite beneficial in teaching students how to break down the information and extract specific language to practice and incorporate in their own playing. I wish I had such a comprehensive resource at my disposal during my formative years. I am immediately going to add this to my daily warm-up routine! Whalen's "Jazz Warm-Ups and Etudes" is a pathway to discovering and mastering the building blocks of jazz improvisation."
